Luther On Worship

The text below is written in Vilmos Vajita’s work Luther On Worship: An Interpretation. I have found the book to be quite helpful and one that is tangible also for the laity. In the very beginning, he speaks the truth that worship and theology belong together. They cannot be divided. The words that follow come from the first chapter, pages 3-4.

“The words ‘I am thy God’ are the standard and measure of everything that can be said about worship.” These words of Luther show that God and worship belong together. A person’s picture of God determines his idea of worship. Indeed, the First Commandment is basic for Luther’s idea of worship. Faith itself is the essence of worship; for faith is the fulfillment of the First Commandment, and idolatry is nothing but unbelief. Man must decide between worship and idolatry. There is no other choice. Either God is “our God,” and we live in fellowship with him, or else by distrust despise him. The one implies worship, the other idolatry.

Thus the problem of worship hinges on two questions: Who is the God who speaks to us in the First Commandment? And how should that commandment be fulfilled? Luther’s answer is determined by the fact that he sees God as the one who acts for us. He is our God on account of his deeds for us. As he proved himself the God of Israel by the exodus and other mighty signs, so has he acted for us by sending Christ into the world. Christ died and rose for us. He is our God, for he still acts for us in the Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper. The foundation of worship is in the command to receive these blessings by faith. The First Commandment requires faith; without faith we cannot serve God and render acceptable worship to him.